A Theology of the Sacraments Interpreted by John and Charles Wesley

Including Hymns for Baptism and Holy Communion with Commentary and New Musical Settings

S T Kimbrough Jr., Dean B. McIntyre, S T Kimbrough, Dean B. McIntyre

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781666705652, 9781666705669
• eBook ISBN: 9781666705676
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religious Biographies

This volume brings together the theological interpretation of the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion as expressed in the writings and hymns of John and Charles Wesley.-Section 1 addresses the Anglican-Methodist sacrament of baptism as interpreted by John Wesley with excerpts from his Treatise on Baptism.-Section 2 contains commentaries on six of Charles Wesley's hymns on baptism. The commentaries seek to elucidate not only the theological emphases of the texts but also their meaning for the church today.-Section 3 moves to the sacrament of Holy Communion and includes excerpts from John Wesley's sermon "On the Duty of Constant Communion." Charles Wesley expresses similar views in his treatise on Holy Communion, "And upon the first Day of the Week, " and in his twenty-two stanza poem "Happy the Saints of Former Days." -Section 4 includes the commentaries on sixteen Wesley hymns for Holy Communion.-Section 5 includes new musical settings for all of the twenty-two Wesley hymns on baptism and Holy Communion included here by twenty contemporary composers from North and South America, Asia, and Europe. In a variety of musical styles they seek to capture the various theological emphases and nuances of the texts.

Section 1

Sacrament of Baptism as Interpreted by John Wesley

This section draws on the rich Anglican-Methodist sacramental heritage of baptism with formative thoughts expressed by John Wesley. These will be followed in Section 2 by brief theological commentaries on each of the baptismal hymns included in this collection.

Baptism

Excerpts adapted from A Treatise on Baptism

by John Wesley

1756

What it is. . . . It is the initiatory sacrament, which enters us into covenant with God. It was instituted by Christ, who alone has power to institute a proper sacrament, a sign, seal, pledge, and means of grace, perpetually obligatory on all Christians. We know not, indeed, the exact time of its institution; but we know it was long before our Lord’s ascension. And it was instituted in place of circumcision. For, as that was a sign and seal of God’s covenant, so is this.

The matter of this sacrament is water; which, as it has a natural power of cleansing, is the more fit for this symbolical use. Baptism is performed by washing, dipping, or sprinkling the person, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who is hereby devoted to the ever-blessed Trinity. I say, by washing, dipping, or sprinkling; because it is not determined in Scripture in which of these ways it shall be done, neither by any express precept, nor by any such example as clearly proves it; nor by the force or meaning of the word baptize.

What are the benefits we receive by baptism?

1.The first of these is, the washing away the guilt of original sin, by application of the merits of Christ’s death.

2.By baptism we enter into covenant with God; into that everlasting covenant, which he has commanded forever (Psalm 111:9); that new covenant, which he promised to make with the spiritual Israel.

3.By baptism we are admitted into the Church, and consequently made members of Christ, its Head.

4.By baptism, we who were “by nature children of wrath” are made the children of God.

5.In consequence of our being made children of God, we are heirs of the kingdom of heaven. . . .

In all ages, the outward baptism is a means of the inward; as outward circumcision was of the circumcision of the heart. . . .

Who are the proper subjects of baptism? Adults and infants.

If outward baptism be generally, in an ordinary way, necessary to salvation, and infants may be saved as well as adults, nor ought we to neglect any means of saving them; if our Lord commands such to come, to be brought to him, and declares “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.” . . . If there are such inestimable benefits conferred in baptism, the washing away the guilt of original sin, the engrafting us into Christ, by making us members of his Church, and thereby giving us a right to all the blessings of the gospel; it follows, that infants may, yea, ought to be baptized.

Section 2

Commentaries on the Hymns for Baptism by Charles Wesley

1. Come Father, Son, and Holy Ghost1

To be sung at Baptism

1. Come Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

revealed in the baptismal flood,

joint Savior of all sinners lost,

descend the one eternal God.

2. Now in your own appointed hour,

your own appointed means appear,

that all may tremble at your power,

and own the Triune God is here.

3. For these your ransomed ones we claim

the grace which glorious life imparts,

their souls baptize into your name,

and stamp your image on their hearts.

4. Into your fold this moment take,

true witness of their sins forgiven

and partners of your nature make,

and partners of your throne in heaven.

This entire hymn, a prayer to the Holy Trinity to be offered at the time of baptism, outlines a theology of baptism beginning with the plea “Come Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” the name by which all baptism transpires.

Stanza 1 affirms that baptism is an active moment of God’s initiative in time. It is a time of revelation, for the Trinity is “revealed in the baptismal flood.”

Two expressions for the Trinity emphasize its unity: the Trinity is the “joint Savior” of all lost sinners and at the conclusion of the stanza Wesley prays for the descent of “the one eternal God.” Christ alone is not the Savior, rather the Trinity is the “joint Savior” and eternally one.

Stanza 2 underscores the epic moment of God’s initiative in baptism. God appoints the time and means of baptism and th...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Foreword
• Preface
• Abbreviations
• Section 1: Sacrament of Baptism as Interpreted by John Wesley
• Section 2: Commentaries on the Hymns for Baptism by Charles Wesley
• Section 3: The Sacrament of Holy Communion as Interpreted by John and Charles Wesley
• Section 4: Commentaries on the Hymns for Holy Communion
• Section 5: Hymns for Baptism and Holy Communion
• Bibliography